Joseph Byrne

Infobox character
colour = #d6d6ff
series = "Holby City"


name = Joseph Byrne
portrayer = Luke Roberts
first = 8x12, "Mother Love", 3 January 2006
occupation = Surgical Registrar
specialty = Cardiothoracics
lbl21= Ward
data21 = Darwin
spouse =
family = Lord Charles Byrne (father) Lady Anne-Marie Byrne (mother)
Harry Byrne (brother)
Two unknown brothers
Sophia Byrne (sister)

Joseph Byrne is a fictional character in the BBC medical drama "Holby City", portrayed by actor Luke Roberts.cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/holbycity/characters-cast/characters/josephbyrne.shtml|title=BBC - Holby City - Characters - Joseph Byrne|publisher=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=2007-08-29] The character first appeared on-screen on 3 January 2006 in the episode "Mother Love" (Series 8, Episode 12) of the programme.cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/holbycity/storyupdates/index.shtml?20060103|title=Episode Update Tuesday 3rd January|publisher=BBC.co.uk|date=3 January 2006|accessdate=2007-08-29] Roberts had made an unrelated guest appearance in the previous series of the show, playing the relative of a deceased patient,cite web|url=http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0602616/|title="Holby City" No Pain No Gain (2005)|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=2007-10-14] and was asked to return in a more permanent role by the series producers.

Joseph's role in the show is that of troubled surgeon — the resultant angst of his brother's attempted suicide and his own anally retentive personality leading to the revelation the character suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. His major storylines have included an accidental drugs overdose,cite episode | title = Before A Fall| episodelink = List_of_Holby_City_episodes/Series_Nine#Series_Nine_.282005–2006.29| url = | series = "Holby City"| serieslink = Holby City| credits = | network = BBC| station = | city = | airdate = 2006-10-24| began =
ended = | season = 9| number = 1| minutes = | transcript = | transcripturl= ] and a relationship with fellow surgical registrar Jac Naylor, who cheated on him with his own father.cite episode| title = The Human Jungle| episodelink = List_of_Holby_City_episodes/Series_Nine#Series_Nine_.282005–2006.29| url = | series = "Holby City"| serieslink = Holby City| credits = | network = BBC| station = | city = | airdate = 2007-05-24| began =
ended = | season = 9| number = 32| minutes = | transcript = | transcripturl= ] His portrayal of this role saw Roberts longlisted for the 'Most Popular Newcomer' award at the 2006 National Television Awards.cite news|url=http://www.holby.tv/cgi-bin/News/fullnews.cgi?newsid1152551371,14032,|title=National TV Awards 2006|date=10 July 2006|publisher=Holby.tv Database|accessdate=2007-10-13]

Creation

Background

Joseph Byrne was one of eight new characters to join Holby City's cast in Series 8.cite web|url=http://www.holby.tv/db/index.php?id=9,1610,0,0,1,0|title=Holby City Series 8|publisher=Holby.tv Database|accessdate=2007-08-09] In the context of the show, the character's arrival coincided with the onscreen expansion of Darwin, the Cardiothoracic surgical ward. Over the course of Series 7 and 8, medical staff on this ward had been reduced solely to nurses, and Consultant Connie Beauchamp. However, the Series 8 plot strand which saw Connie strive to turn Holby City Hospital into a Cardiothoracic Centre of Excellence required a similar expansion of ward staff, and so three new Cardiothoracic surgical characters were created — Consultant Elliot Hope, and Registrars Sam Strachan and Joseph Byrne.

Casting

Prior to joining the cast of "Holby City" as Joseph, Luke Roberts had made a guest appearance in episode "No Pain, No Gain", Series 7, Episode 30 of the show, playing Daniel, son of Dominic Fryer — the former tutor responsible for the rape of regular character Diane Lloyd. Roberts was approached about returning to the show in a more permanent role by BBC casting director Julie Harkin, who was also responsible for casting fellow "Holby City" newcomers Rakie Ayola as Kyla Tyson and Tom Chambers as Sam Strachan.Citation
last=McNeilly | first=Claire | author-link= | publication-date= | date=3 June 2006 | year=2006 | title=Meet the Derry woman with stars in her eyes | periodical=Belfast Telegraph | publication-place= | place= | publisher= | volume= | issue=|pages=|url=http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:v2B6qSqGoNgJ:www.saveeastenders.com/modules.php%3Fop%3Dmodload%26name%3DNews%26file%3Darticle%26sid%3D144+2006+Meet+the+Derry+woman+with+stars+in+her&hl=en&strip=1
issn= | doi= | oclc= | accessdate=1 September 2007]

Of his previous appearance, Roberts has commented that: "It was only one scene really, but I think it was enough to get me called in for this part." When asked whether he felt the guest spot had helped him in being cast as Joseph, he responded: "Certainly. I only had one scene as that character, but I hear it got the attention of the producers. Amanda Mealing (the actress who portrays character Connie Beauchamp) put a good word in for me that day as well! What's great is that Joseph is a very different character from Daniel."

On joining the cast as Joseph, Roberts has said: :"I was lucky to join "Holby City" as part of a wave of new people and at the same time as Tom Chambers and Rosie Marcel. We have a real feeling of solidarity between us now. It’s a terrific cast to work with and it has been so easy to come in as a new member of it. The first day of rehearsals on set in front of the producers and everybody felt like a real test and was my first hurdle, but it was good. If you say the medical terms with confidence then it seems to work and sound convincing! At first I tried to look up all the medical terms I was using, but I gave up on that after a while and turned to the advisors on set to help me instead! Tom and I were really nervous, but thankfully everyone treated us with kid gloves and made for a very nice start in a calm atmosphere.cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a26602/issue-10-doctors-andrea-green-talks-to-ds.html|title= Issue #10: Doctors' Andrea Green talks to DS|publisher=Digital Spy|author=Kris Green|date=26 November 2005|accessdate=2007-10-11]

Roberts has also spoken about the research he underwent in preparation for taking on the role of Joseph, which included witnessing open heart surgery at University College Hospital, London, as well as reading up on OCD. He explained that he became a regular viewer of "Holby City" from the time of his first appearance of Daniel: "So I kind of knew what was going on when I returned as Joseph".cite news|url=http://www.holby.tv/cgi-bin/News/fullnews.cgi?newsid1141176873,12034,|title=Luke Roberts Interview|publisher=Holby.tv Database|date=1 March 2006|accessdate=2007-10-11] He has stated that he has no immediate plans to leave the show, adding: "I love it at Holby. The character is very complex and there are many ways the writers could take him. I just hope that one day they sort out his hair."Citation | last=Wise | first=Jon | author-link= | publication-date=10 December 2006 | date= | year= | title=EXCLUSIVE HOLBY HUNK TELLS WHY HE'S SEARCHING FOR LOVE TO PUT NEW SPARK IN HIS LIFE|periodical=The People | publication-place=England | place= | publisher= | volume= | issue= | pages= | url= | doi= | oclc= | accessdate=]

Development

Personality

Joseph's character and personality was initially described by BBC Publicity in the following manner: "From an early age, Joseph knew he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father. He's meticulous and ordered to the point of obsession. He is utterly weighed down with guilt. Everyday he persecutes himself for his younger brother’s attempted suicide. But no matter how many people Joseph saves as a surgeon, he will never forgive himself."

This was expanded on by Roberts, who explained of his character: "He is awkward and very bookish and there’s real scope in the character which makes him fun to play. He has a tougher time relating to his colleagues than his counterpart, happy-go-lucky Sam, which allows for a bit of comedy as Sam is the antithesis of Joe. ...he's incredibly honest and morally upright, which I would like to be! He's a total oddball with all sorts of hang-ups."Citation | last= | first= | author-link= | publication-date=18 June 2006 | date=
year= | title=Luke Roberts | periodical=Sunday Mirror | publication-place=England | place= | publisher=| volume=
issue= | pages= | url= | doi= | oclc= | accessdate=] Joseph's very stuck in his ways."cite news|title=Luke Roberts Interview|publisher=icCroydon|date=January 2006]

During his time on the show, these aspects of the character's personality have each been explored. It was revealed in Joseph's first on-screen appearance that both his father and grandfather had been pioneering Cardiothoracic Consultants, and that it had always been expected of him to follow the same path. His residual guilt over his brother's attempted suicide was developed throughout the character's first few months at Holby City Hospital. Roberts commented on the event that: "It underpins much of his behaviour. He is a man burdened by guilt and loss. I think I can be so bold as to say he transfers many of his feelings about his brother onto patients and staff alike, without ever betraying the source of his pain." Joseph's resulting fastidious manner grew into full blown Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, an aspect of the character's personality he attempted to control and hide by use of relaxant medication. However, from the beginning of his relationship with character Jac Naylor, Joseph's OCD has neither been seen nor referenced on screen, and a more relaxed personality has occasionally been glimpsed in the aftermath of his father's death — with the character engaging in more playful pursuits, such as dropping his serious nature in favour of a James Bond impression in episode "Care of Duty (Part One)".

Relationships

Upon joining the cast of "Holby City", Luke Roberts was asked who he felt his character's ideal woman would be. Roberts replied: "Joseph is a man who suppresses and represses his emotions — especially regarding women. I think he harbours very strong feelings of admiration for Connie but is frankly surprised and secretly thrilled when any woman shows him affection. Although so far this is rare!"

Joseph embarked on a relationship with fellow Registrar Jac Naylor, who went into their relationship in the hopes of impressing Joseph's father and securing herself a promotion to Consultant. When this was not forthcoming, Jac went as far as to leave Joseph for Lord Byrne, breaking up his family. Throughout Series 8, Joseph cultivated a friendship with Elliot Hope's daughter Martha, who was seen to have strong romantic feelings for Joseph, however ultimately Jac won Joseph's affections, and Martha left the show to return to University off screen. From October 2007 onward, Joseph was romantically linked with Ward Sister Faye Morton. Patsy Kensit who plays the character confirmed that Faye "has a soft spot for (him)",cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/holbycity/asktheactors/interviews/index.shtml?content/_patsy/page1|title=Holby City – Interviews|publisher=BBC.co.uk|accessdate=2007-10-10] although it was been questioned whether she is more interested in Joseph, or the sizeable inheritance he received following his father's death.cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/holbycity/reviews/20070925.shtml|title=Your Top 5 Episode Comments: 25 September 2007|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2007-10-10] Despite Faye's mysterious past, the two became engaged in series 10 of the show, much to Jac's displeasure. Roberts has relayed the insight that Rosie Marcel, who plays Jac, gave him of the relationship from Jac's point of view: "Jac's left with very little. She hasn't got the consultancy post. Joseph's father is long gone and I think she may be nostalgic for all of that. She's hankering after Joseph again. She wants him for herself. That's certainly what Rosie Marcel keeps telling me."Citation|publication-date=26 August 2008|title=The Byrne ultimatum|periodical=TV Quick|publication-place=England|pages=15] He added, on Joseph's reaction to Jac's meddling in his relationship with Faye; "He's a good guy but Jac brings out the evil in him. He does have a darker side. He will fight injustice with injustice."

torylines

Joseph arrives at Holby City Hospital in episode "Mother Love", when he and fellow Cardiothoracic surgeon Sam Strachan vie for an open Registrar's position. Although initially Consultant Connie Beauchamp intends to hire Sam, she is persuaded by Joseph's father, Lord Charles Byrne, to create a second position and employ Joseph also.cite episode| title = Mother Love| episodelink = List of Holby City episodes/Series Eight#Series Eight (2005–2006)| url = | series = "Holby City"| serieslink = Holby City| credits = | network = BBC| station = | city = | airdate= 2006-01-03| began = | ended = | season = 8| number = 12| minutes= | transcript = | transcripturl= ] He joins Connie's firm to begin with, however soon switches to working instead under the ward's second Consultant, Elliot Hope. The two men grow close, as Joseph becomes involved in Elliot's troubled family life.cite episode| title= Quality Time| episodelink = List_of_Holby_City_episodes/Series_Eight#Series_Eight_.282005–2006.29| url = | series = "Holby City"| serieslink= Holby City| credits= | network= BBC| station= | city= | airdate= 2006-04-11| began=
ended= | season= 8| number= 26| minutes= | transcript= | transcripturl=] In turn, Joseph begins to confide in Elliot, revealing to him that his brother Harry is in a coma following a suicide attempt.cite episode
title = Short Cuts| episodelink = List_of_Holby_City_episodes/Series_Eight#Series_Eight_.282005–2006.29|url=|series="Holby City"| serieslink = Holby City| credits=|network= BBC| station= | city= | airdate= 2006-05-02| began= | ended=| season= 8
number = 29| minutes = | transcript = | transcripturl= ] Joseph discloses his guilt about the incident, explaining that he knew his brother was worried about exams, but ignored a telephone call from him on the evening he took an insulin overdose. As a result, he can no longer bear to hear a phone left ringing, and has developed full blown Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.cite episode| title = Promises To Keep
episodelink = List_of_Holby_City_episodes/Series_Eight#Series_Eight_.282005–2006.29| url = | series = "Holby City"| serieslink = Holby City| credits = | network = BBC| station = | city = | airdate = 2006-06-29| began= | ended = | season = 8| number = 35| minutes = | transcript = | transcripturl= ]

To cover up the symptoms of his disorder, Joseph resorts to stealing pharmacy drug Fentanyl and self-injecting before operations.cite episode| title= Looking After Number One| episodelink =List_of_Holby_City_episodes/Series_Eight#Series_Eight_.282005–2006.29| url = | series = "Holby City"| serieslink = Holby City| credits = | network = BBC| station = | city = | airdate= 2006-07-25| began =
ended = | season = 8| number = 39| minutes = | transcript = | transcripturl= ] In episode "Before A Fall" he overdoses on the drug, but is saved by colleague Jac Naylor. Shortly thereafter, they become a couple, with Joseph unaware that Jac is only interested in him because of his father's influence. Jac manipulates Joseph into having his father add her to a surgical team flying out to Dubai to perform pioneering surgery. When things go awry there, she convinces Joseph to lie about their qualifications so that they might perform the operation themselves — not only endangering both their careers, but having their lives threatened by the patient's influential father.cite episode |title=What Lies Beneath |episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes/Series_Nine#Series_Nine_.282006–2007.29 |series=Holby City |serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC | season = 9
number = 23 |airdate= 2007-03-27] In episode "Paranoid Android" Jac begins cheating on Joseph with his own father, for a period of several months, until Lord Byrne calls an end to the deception and confesses their infidelity to his son.

Joseph quickly comes to loathe Jac, not only for cheating on him, but for breaking up his parents' marriage. Before Lord Byrne is able to secure the promotion Jac wanted from him, he passes away from complications arising from a perforated stomach ulcer. When Jac attends his funeral in episode "Bad Reputation", Joseph is furious, and lashes out physically, slapping her twice and leaving her badly bruised.cite episode|title=Bad Reputation|episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes/Series_Eight#Series_Eight_.282005–2006.29| url= | series="Holby City"|serieslink = Holby City|network = BBC| station=BBC One|airdate= 2007-08-07|season= 9| number=43|] Jac continues to torment Joseph for several weeks, and flaunts the fact she inherited a ring in Lord Byrne's will that had once been promised to Joseph by his grandmother. Friend and colleague Faye Morton takes it upon herself to steal the ring away from Jac, returning it to Joseph to do with as he sees fit, in the hopes that this will allow him to finally move on.cite episode |title=Care Of Duty (Part 1) |episodelink=List_of_Holby_City_episodes/Series_Nine#Series_Nine_.282006–2007.29 |series=Holby City |serieslink=Holby City |network=BBC|season=9|number=51|airdate=2007-10-02]

Early in series 10, Joseph's brother's condition deteriorates and he is admitted to Holby City Hospital in need of an operation. Faye supports Joseph, and the two end up kissing. Joseph's hopes are raised when his brother opens his eyes, and he considers expensive neurology treatment in America to try and rouse Harry from his coma. Shortly thereafter, however, Harry's condition worsens again, and Joseph and his mother allow Harry to die.

Following his brother's death, Joseph returns to work to find Jac on trial for Sam's old position. This reignites their feud, and Joseph is unable to block Jac from gaining the position. His relationship with Faye develops slowly, however Joseph's suspicions are raised when she lies to him about her whereabouts on several occasions, leading to the eventual discovery that the police suspect her of the murder of her second husband, Donald. An exhumation reveals that Donald did not die of cancer, as Faye insisted, but of arsenic poisoning. Joseph remains suspicious, but supports Faye as their relationship continues to develop. When Faye has a pregnancy scare, he proposes to her, insisting that he meant it even after the discovery she is not actually pregnant. Joseph is devestated when Faye appears to have stolen £5,000 from him and left the country, but discovers she is in fact in trouble in South Africa. After flying out with colleague Linden Cullen, Faye reveals she has a ten-year-old son, Archie, who lives in a care home because of a genetic disease. Joseph saves Archie's life in a risky operation, and he and Faye return from South Africa engaged once more, much to Jac's chagrin.

Reception

In 2006, Roberts was longlisted for the "Most Popular Newcomer" award at the year's National Television Awards, for his portrayal of the character, however failed to make the shortlist — with the award ultimately going to "EastEnders’" Charlie Clements (Bradley Branning).cite web|url=http://www.thecustard.tv/linksandlists/nationaltvawards.html|title=NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS|publisher=thecustard.tv|accessdate=2007-10-13] The character has proved popular with "Holby City" fans, performing well in the official annual fans awards. In 2006, he was voted third favourite male character of Series 8, as well as third favourite newcomer. His OCD storyline was voted third best of the series, and Roberts was voted fourth best acting performance for his role in this storyline.cite web|url=http://www.holby.tv/db/index.php?id=74,1981,0,0,1,0|title=2006 holby.tv awards|publisher=Holby.tv Database|accessdate=2007-10-30] In the 2007 awards, he was again voted third favourite male, this time of Series 9, and the storyline involving his relationship with Jac Naylor and her relationship with his father was voted third best of the series.cite web|url=http://www.holbytvawards.co.uk/|title=holby.tv awards 2007|publisher=Holby.tv Database|accessdate=2007-10-30]

In popular culture

On 28 February 2008, BBC Two cooking programme "Ready Steady Cook" broadcast a "Holby City" special, featuring Luke Roberts and Sharon D. Clarke (Lola Griffin). As well as competing over their cooking skills, the pair discussed their characters' upcoming storylines, and crossover with sister show "HolbyBlue".cite episode |title=Ready Steady Cook |episodelink= |series=Ready Steady Cook |serieslink=Ready Steady Cook |network=BBC|season=|number=|airdate= 2008-02-28]

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/holbycity/characters-cast/characters/josephbyrne.shtml Character page at BBC's "Holby City" homepage]
* [http://www.holby.tv/db/index.php?id=56,1596,0,0,1,0 Profile at holby.tv Database]